Cloth pad update

I have to admit, "pleasant" isn't actually a word you would associate with your period, but my last one was much more tolerable :) I was using both disposables and reusables, and it was quite an experience using them both as I was able to compare them as I used them.

Some things I learned:

• Disposables really don't have a nice feel


• Disposables smell awful


• Disposables are convenient that they are smaller and can just be disposed of.


• Blood tends to sit on the surface for a bit before being absorbed.

But then:

• Reusables are so nice to wear


• Much better absorbency (In my experience)


• As I had charcoal bamboo, you could see the blood, but it wasn't noticeable as blood (if that makes sense? It just looked "damp", so perfect for those who are squeamish!)


• Washing the pads wasn't as bad as I feared. I rinsed them out first until the water ran clear and then just chucked them into a regular wash. And no staining! If I was squeamish though, I'd have taken the advice of just chucking them in their own wash cycle without even taking them of out the wash bag.


• They are surpringly discreet! I had mine in my small wet bag, but even if you just have the pad, if it was folded up, no one would have a clue that you had a pad in your hand and might think it was a purse or something.


• They are a little bulky storage wise though, when folded up.


• Handling used pads wasn't bad either :) even when I was at work, which I worried would have been an issue. I just folded the used pad up and poppered it closed and put straight into the wet bag.


• There isn't a bad smell with reusables! Another reason that putting a used pad in my work bag wasn't an issue :) one thing I found surprising is that the blood doesn't have a smell per se, but it did give me flashbacks of after having Dylan and the lochlia: though the maternity pads were huge and bulky they said that they shouldn't smell as if it did it would signal an infection so it was something to be mindful of.

My cup arrived too, and I was very intrigued! I gave it a quick test (or a "dry run") so put it in and took it out. I have to admit, I'm a bit scared! I managed it ok, but I guess it will be a bit like contact lenses. I was freaked out and convinced I would never be able to "touch my eye" but I did it just fine (though as it turned out, contacts weren't for me!) my meluna cup cost £11 and will last for many years so I am determined to give it a good go. It will be a completely different experience once it is in and I'm going about my day. I will be using the cup alongside my reusable pads until I am confident enough of how frequently I need to empty it and that I have it positioned correctly.

I also came across the monthly box from femininewear.co.uk which is where I bought my cup from. I'm thinking that would be a nice treat sometime :)

Please standby...

We took a little time to destress yesterday by colouring in my book. I had some Disney Junior colouring prints - somewhere - but can't find them. That seems to be a major issue with a lot of stuff. I have a "notice to quit" form for our flat to return to the council that we've always had... Somewhere. Dylan has a drum and one of the drumsticks is somewhere. The latest "somewhere" item is Dylan's dinosaur jigsaw from Uncle Stewart and Aunty Claire (which is awesome because the pieces can be played with), but I cannot find all the pieces, though I had them all on Monday. We live in just 4 rooms, and there's just **too much stuff**. It should be impossible to lose certain things but we still seem to manage to do that anyway. I have been planning a "home tour" to upload to YouTube. Once I record it, of course. And then doing one when we move. I'm hoping it is not going to be one of those things I intend to do but don't get around to.

One of the good things about moving I suppose is that we will be forced to face all of our belongings and to save ourselves hauling lots of stuff to the new house. I actually read an article that someone wrote how they moved and never unboxed a fair few boxes even after being in their new home for months. They figured they could just get rid of it. I know that will be the case for a LOT of stuff in our attic, minus the Christmas, baby things and our weekend bag. I need to remind myself that when I see the books etc that they have been out of mind and I haven't missed them one bit, so they can safely go.

While I don't think we would be full on minimalists, I have been drawing inspiration from it (one reason I suppose why I was drawn to the konmari method. Which I have stalled on. Someone kick me up my arse please & shake some sense of why I am doing it in the first place) the less stuff we own would make for an easier & less stressful life, that I do believe. It has given me lots of ideas, hopefully for future posts.

My first go with the cloth pads FYI, was AMAZING but that is for another post very soon, as I also have my first cup on the way - a meluna. I also don't do change very well so I'm already dealing with the feeling of finding it hard to breathe but at the same time trying to realise how much we all need this. Sure it's not going to erase the issues of my husband's long commute and therefore meaning he isn't home so much plus me working weekends so time spent together is limited. But we are hoping the night time situation will improve with Dylan having his own room (I seriously hope!)
We have so much to do. Sigh.

So as I press post on these ramblings, it might be worth noting as to why the "standby" title. I have been waiting for a call from the solicitor this afternoon as there was a small bit of hope that we would be exchanging contracts today but that seems unlikely. Fingers crossed for Monday though!